Project14 | Quick Update on Upcoming Competitions + What Would You Like To See Happen In Project14?

I know you are asking Jan, but I kinda like their suggestion. I absolutely missed the 555 project but that component is a favorite of mine.
Not sure if there are other ICs as versatile as the 555, but considering that the "theme" doesn't need to be a single IC, what about a family of ICs?
Like for example 74XX discrete logic.

Use a transisor. Use a fet. Do something witch crystals or magnetics. Make (or explain) an interesting  little opamp circuit....

It doesn't have to be legacy like the 555 or 741. It would be nice to use modern electronics.

embeddedguy said:

I thought that Project14 is only for projects that use Arduino

That’s understandable, as once a year Project14 gets combined with the Arduino anniversary competition.

I think there are also project competitions when new products are introduced, often Arduino or Raspberry Pi, that are sponsored by those companies.

Not sure if it would make things easier, to maybe separate sponsored competitions from regular open ones, or if all competitions should be considered sponsored and hardware-specific with once or twice a year having an open one.  ?

Maybe it’s that way already  and I just haven’t been paying enough attention.

I've got enough big projects, it's nice to just have a small simple project to work on.  Keep it simple.

Scott

dougw said:

Systems that provide useful information are also popular, whether it is local environmental info or detection of local human or animal activity.

I was thinking that perhaps a community oriented project might be worth exploring at some point. Could be tied to an existing community science type project or perhaps linked to STEM activities in schools.

Could also be creative, like an animatronic flower that is linked to environmental sensors so it can react to real world data.

I'm thinking you're onto a good idea. Maybe a project without an IC, just transistors or using discrete "legacy" ICs 555s, 741, LS gates, HT8950, PT2399, MSGEQ7, hex drivers, no IIC...etc. Sounds kinda fun.     

The initial goal of project14 was to encourage new members to begin participation.

Over the years we have seen some excellent projects and added a lot of members to element14.

Hopefully we will continue to do a range of projects that encourage new members to get involved and show us what they can do.

That is the part I love about it the most. A low entry point. And judges that recognise the value of good low scale entries.

Jan Cumps   This post pushed me over the edge.  I finally purchased a copy of The Art of Electronics. 

happy reading <3